Youth Ballet WA (“YBWA”) is a charitable institution focused on education in dance for youth. This company, founded in 2004, comprises of 110 talented dancers ranging from 8 – 12 years. Since its inception in 2004, the organisation has delighted audiences well over 200 times.
Youth Ballet WA is internationally recognised for innovation and excellence in the technical and artistic development of its young dancers. Director, Sonya Shepherd hails from the famous Charlesworth ballet family and is proud to work closely with her mother, Terri Charlesworth OAM, who fulfils the role of Artistic Advisor at YBWA and was the recent winner of the WA Citizen of the year Award for Arts and Culture Development. Patrons are The Governor His Excellency Dr Ken Michael and Mrs Julie Michael.
YBWA reaches out to the wider community through mainstage productions, school performances and workshops, public performances, special seniors’ performances and displays, Perth Ballet Scholarships and touring rural Western Australia. Youth Ballet WA has become a launching pad for talented young dancers from Perth and around the state. Many former dancers are now performing in prestigious ballet companies throughout the world including Briana Shepherd, the first Australian to be accepted into New York City Ballet.
The dancers of YBWA join the company through a rigorous audition process which takes place annually. All dancers train at an elite level, studying dance fulltime under the direction of Youth Ballet WA staff.
The YBWA operations rely almost solely on a very dedicated and talented group of volunteers. This includes Director Sonya Shepherd, dance teachers, choreographers, wardrobe mistress, seamstresses, costume and set designers, finance and administrative staff, guest performers and cast extras. Our volunteers do this because they are passionate about developing professionalism in every aspect of this unique organisation.
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